Bachelors and Masters in Health Management and Administration in Kentucky

Kentucky’s rapidly growing healthcare sector is driving demand for healthcare management and administration professionals in the state. The healthcare sector’s contribution to Kentucky’s GSP (Gross State Product) increased by more than 25 percent over the five-year period leading up to 2014, representing a total contribution of approximately $4.6 billion that year alone (US Department of Commerce, 2015).

The state government-sponsored Kentucky Career Center projects that the number of medical and health services manager jobs in the state will increase by just over 30 percent during the ten-year period leading up to 2022. Contributing to this is the increasing number of patients being seen thanks to improved access to healthcare under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), coupled with the state’s growing elderly population, which is creating a greater demand for medical services than has ever been seen in the state.

Healthcare Administration Degrees Available in Kentucky

With a full 10 percent more state residents having access to healthcare than just five years before and one of the largest elder populations in the nation (14.8 percent of residents 65 and older), Kentucky’s healthcare system relies heavily on skilled facility managers and hospital system administrators to ensure the efficient delivery of high quality patient care for all the state’s residents.

Undergraduate and graduate degrees in healthcare administration are available through campus locations and flexible online programs designed with working professionals in mind.

Undergraduate Degrees in Healthcare Administration and Management

In addition to degrees that offer a general business major, there are several different variations of undergraduate degrees that specifically address the skills health administrators need:

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Bachelor of Health Administration (BHA)

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Healthcare Administration

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Healthcare Management

Undergraduate degrees are usually comprised of 120 semester credits and take four years to complete. The first 60 credits cover general undergraduate requirements and prerequisite courses for more advanced classes in the major. Schools will often accept an associate’s transfer degree to fulfill these initial 60 credits.

This is followed by approximately 60 credits of upper-division courses that cover important subjects in the chosen major, which can include:

Students looking to gain competitive qualifications, and especially professionals looking to advance in their careers, will need to consider pursuing a graduate degree in this field. The foundation this level of education provides is becoming a widely recognized standard that tomorrow’s professionals are expected to possess.

Examples of graduate degrees relevant to an advanced career in healthcare administration include:

Master of Business Administration (MBA) (concentration in Healthcare Management or Administration)

Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MSHA)

JD/MSHA dual degree program

MSN/MBA dual degree program

MHA/MBA dual degree program

Graduate Program Admissions

Graduate programs will usually accept students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any field as long as they have completed the necessary undergraduate prerequisites or make arrangements to do so). This is just one of the common admission standards shared by many healthcare administration master’s programs in Kentucky. Other requirements include:

Professional work experience and/or current employment in the healthcare industry

Minimum undergraduate GPA

Letters of recommendation

Personal essay

Graduate Program Details

While every graduate program is unique, students can usually expect to spend 18-24 months completing between 30-60 semester credits of coursework.

Many programs culminate with a final thesis paper assignment or capstone project. This can focus on a research subject in-depth or it might include fieldwork combined with an observational assessment report.

Important areas of study and focus that are covered in a graduate program include:

Students can find opportunities to pursue a master degree in the healthcare administration and management field online, as well as through universities located in:

Lexington

Louisville

Frankfort

Midway

Williamsburg

Healthcare Administration Jobs in Kentucky

Earning a relevant, competitive education will allow new students and advancing professionals alike to pursue a greater number of career opportunities throughout the state. The following examples are provided to illustrate what graduates can expect to find in Kentucky’s professional environment. These were taken from a job survey conducted in October 2015 and are here to serve as examples only:

Norton Healthcare in Louisville

Coordinator of Clinical Effectiveness –Responsible for leading workgroups while implementing proven performance improvement strategies; applicants can qualify for this position with a master’s degree, such as an MHA or MBA

Director of Patient Care Services – With the goal of providing quality patient care, this professional leads the nursing team and administrative staff; applicants must have a master’s degree in business, nursing, or another related field like healthcare administration or healthcare management

Practice Manager with Gastroenterology – This professional works in a physician’s office, providing leadership, management, and evaluations for the office team; applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree, while preferred applicants will have a master’s degree, such as an MHA or MBA

Caldwell Medical Center in Princeton

Chief Executive Officer – this position requires the incumbent to manage all daily aspects of the hospital, namely organizing, planning, and directing hospital staff to achieve specified goals; applicants must have an MHA or MBA

Logan Memorial Hospital in Russellville

Chief Nursing Officer – the incumbent in this position will hold the ultimate administrative responsibility for the actions of nursing staff; applicants must have a valid nursing license with preference given to those with an MHA or MSN

Local Resources for Healthcare Administrators and Managers

Prospective students as well as experienced professionals can find many relevant resources located throughout Kentucky. These can provide further information regarding careers and professional development along with networking opportunities.